Monday, 6 September 2004

Willie Weir: "What Is Adventure?"

Willie Weir may be the most effective and inspiring advocate in the USA for international bicycle travel, but his message is about much more than bicycling. Check out his latest column from Adventure Cycling magazine: "What Is Adventure?"

I think Willie overlooks an important distinction between perceived risk and actual risk, and I don't think everyone necessarily should (as he seems to imply) take risks, but he articulates some truths that are widely recognized within the travel "industry", but rarely spoken.

"Congress shall make no law ... abridging ... the right of the people peaceably to assemble." (U.S. Constitution)

"Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country." (Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

"Liberty of movement is an indispensable condition for the free development of a person." (United Nations Human Rights Committee)